Sacred Heart’s 92-4 game became a lesson for all

There’s a reason they call it a “mercy rule.”

But mercy was nowhere to be found in the game between Sacred Heart Academy of Hamden and Lyman Hall-wallingford of Wallingford when the girls high school basketball teams played this week.

To say it was a mismatch was an understatement, given that the final score was 92-4.

We can only imagine how it felt to be part of the Lyman Hall team, one of their coaches, or a family member or friend watching the Sacred Heart team steamroll their way to that score.

And it was the right thing to do when Sacred Heart president Sister Sheila O’neill issued a statement that expressed deep contrition.

“Sacred Heart Academy Administration and Athletics are deeply remorseful for the manner through with the outcome of the game was achieved,” O’neill wrote.

“We are in communication with Lyman Hall High School, the Southern Connecticut Conference and CIAC, and are addressing these concerns internally to ensure that our athletic programs continue to encourage personal, physical and intellectual growth.”

But this deep look into how important it is to recognize there is much more to education than the topics such math and science bring also is a good step for this school and other schools as the fallout from this game is assessed.

“Sacred Heart Academy values the lessons taught and cultivated through athletic participation including ethical and responsible behavior, leadership and strength of character and respect for one’s opponents,” O’neill said in her statement.

“Last night’s Girls’ Basketball game vs Lyman Hall High School does not align with our values or philosophies.”

As we have reported, there are no rules to govern a game with a score like that in basketball. But there is in football, where “running time” is invoked once a team is far ahead, and in baseball and softball, where there is a “mercy rule” to end a game early.

Such mercy would have been well used in the Sacred Heart versus Lyman Hall game.

Lyman Hall coach Tom Lipka told the Courant in an email, “They showed no mercy throughout.”

This came while Sacred Heart is known as one of the best teams in the state with previous wins over Stamford, 83-48, and Shelton, 80-37.

Lipka said: “They fast-breaked the entire game right to the end. They never went into a zone and continued to push the ball up the court and shoot threes whenever they could.”

“Sacred Heart pressed for most of the first half then called it off and went into a tight man-to-man defense trying to get steals,” Lipka said.

Unfortunately, neither Coach Jason Kirck nor AD Ray Degnan would comment.

But ethical behavior has been and remains an important part of sportsmanship.

Sacred Heart’s own goal is its students to be “inspired to lead and make a difference,” while guided by “integrity, compassion, social justice, community,” the school notes on its website.

And while the ability of the Sacred Heart players is undeniable, the game needs to serve as an example for adults and students alike that winning isn’t everything.